Melinda Russell is the other half of
the Russell musical team. She plays the clarinet and keyboard, and also
conducts. She's a natural-born musician and always has good advice for
others. We in the clarinet section especially appreciate having her nearby.

Melinda has been playing music since she was five
years old and began to play the piano by ear. She was born in Arlington,
Va. and grew up in Dranesville, Va. She went to a piano teacher when she
was five years old, but the teacher turned her away, telling her to come
back when she was seven. However, Melinda got a chance to play that day
and once the teacher heard her, she allowed Melinda to begin taking lessons
right away.

Melinda took piano lessons throughout her school
years, and graduated from Herndon High School. She is an accomplished
piano player and once gave a solo concert for 350 people. She was accepted
early to Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va. and graduated with
a Bachelor of Music Education, then later a Master of Music Education.

She's spent many years teaching music and chorus
in the local area. She taught four years in Page County, six years in
Rappahannock County, and two years so far in Frederick County, Va. where
she is now. She's currently teaching at Redbud Run Elementary School in
Winchester, Va. Somewhere in there she took eight years off to raise her
family but didn't forget about music. She worked as the Youth Music Director
and Education Director at the Front Royal United Methodist Church. She
and John have three children who share their parents' love of music.

Piano lessons have been Melinda's specialty for
the last 26 years, as well as playing for weddings and church services.
Kids and adults both love her because she has some special rapport with
each. She's an excellent musician and the band is fortunate to have her
both as a player and a conductor.